Online Criminal Justice Associate Degree

Criminal justice is the study of the U.S. penal system and the principles, theories, and ethics that shape it. Our associate in criminal justice online degree program explores key tenants of law enforcement, corrections, the U.S. court system, criminal law, and crime causation.

Discover what you can accomplish with a criminal justice degree. Pursuing a mobile-friendly associate in criminal justice online provides you with the flexibility to access coursework any time, any place.

Learn how you may graduate sooner by speaking with an AIU Admissions Advisor. We honor your qualifying work and military experience with degree credit and accept up to 75% of eligible transfer credits from other accredited institutions toward a degree at AIU¹. You can also customize your education with AIU’s intellipath^®, so you’re not focusing on what you already know.

What could you do with an online criminal justice associate degree?

Advancing your criminal justice education can teach you how the criminal justice system operates, societal needs, and how to better serve communities. Successfully completing your online criminal justice associate degree may help you prepare to continue your education and study toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, or a specialization within the criminal justice degree program.

Prerequisite to enroll in our associate in criminal justice online degree program?

There are no prerequisites to enroll in this associate in criminal justice online degree program and we do not require a SAT score. At AIU, you can receive dedicated support at every step of your educational journey. Your Graduation Team will help guide you through the enrollment and financial aid processes, and provide ongoing support to help you reach your academic goals.

Associate degree in criminal justice curriculum

Our online criminal justice associate degree program adheres to industry-relevant standards to expose you to criminal justice basics, including investigation and law enforcement, law and courts, juvenile delinquency, and corrections and parole. You may have the opportunity to learn with interactive criminal justice modules created from current events and policies. This degree program is taught by faculty members who have many years of experience in the field.

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1. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

In this industry-focused curriculum, students can be exposed to the foundational areas of the discipline: investigation and law enforcement, law and courts, and corrections and parole. The program also addresses juvenile delinquency and the juvenile-justice system. Courses are structured to assist students in the development of their goals as they can learn focused knowledge and skills common to criminal justice professionals.

For an Online Criminal Justice Associate Degree, your classes may include:

Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems

This course provides an overview of the criminal justice system. Emphasis will be on crime in America, the criminal justice process, law enforcement, adjudication, punishment, corrections, and prisons. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about crime, law and justice, as well as special issues in the criminal justice system.

Theories of Crime Causation

This course is an overview of theoretical perspectives in criminology. This entails the nature, causation and etiology of criminal behaviors in offenders.

Introduction to Criminal Law

This course is designed to furnish a concise but comprehensive introduction to the substantive criminal law. It offers an understanding of the legal environment in which criminal justice professionals must function and is structured to help students to develop a clear understanding of the principles of the law that should help them prepare for the field of criminal justice.

Introduction to Law Enforcement

This course surveys the police service delivery system at the Federal, state, and local levels. Consideration will be given to historical development, the police role in contemporary society, and primary objectives of police agencies.

Introduction to the American Court System

This course covers the structure and organization of the federal and state court system with special attention to the criminal courts. The basic functions of the courts will be examined.

Foundations of Corrections

This course is an introduction to the correctional process and interventions designed to prevent and control adult criminal behavior. This course will address the philosophy and goals underlying the correctional interventions, types of criminal sentencing, and penal sanctions including community-based corrections, institutional corrections, and parole.

Careers in Criminal Justice

This course introduces students to multiple aspects of the criminal justice system: investigations, interviewing and report writing activities as practiced by police, court and correctional personnel for career success. Students will have the opportunity to learn writing, reporting procedures and requirements, crime scene management, technology, interviewing and interrogation skills practiced by criminal justice professionals, and strategies for seeking and obtaining employment

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

What is an Associate of Criminal Justice degree?

AIU’s Associate of Criminal Justice degree is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities among the criminal justice workforce. The criminal justice degree online program emphasizes the inner workings of the criminal justice system and its components, including law enforcement, the legal system, and corrections and parole, so upon graduation you can be ready to pursue a career path in the field.

How long does it take to earn an online criminal justice degree?

Our associate degree programs are designed as 24-month programs. However, many factors can impact your time to completion. The time it may take you to earn your Associate of Criminal Justice degree can be influenced by course loads, proficiency and/or transfer credits, and breaks.

What kind of courses will I take to earn a criminal justice degree?

As you work to complete your degree in criminal justice, you will be immersed in courses such as: Introduction to Criminology; Introduction to Law Enforcement; Foundations of Corrections; Introduction to American Court System; and Criminal Justice Today.

When can I begin my criminal justice classes?

Courses for the Associate of Criminal Justice degree start approximately every five weeks. Your actual start date is based on several factors, including receiving academic and financial documentation.

How many credits will I need to graduate with a criminal justice degree?

The Associate of Criminal Justice degree program consists of 90 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. Please see the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a criminal justice degree?

Upon earning your online Associate of Criminal Justice degree, you will have an understanding of the foundational areas of the discipline, which includes law enforcement, law and courts, and corrections and parole. By studying key topics in criminal justice, you can: have an opportunity to acquire a fundamental understanding of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections; be able to differentiate the various explanations of crime causation; and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities utilized in the criminal justice field.